Maxsolar realizes first grid-friendly storage system for Germany’s Bayernwerk

Bayernwerk Netz GmbH has concluded a service agreement with Maxsolar GmbH. It relates to the first grid-supporting storage facility in the distribution system operator’s territory, which Bayernwerk had publicly tendered in a first-of-its-kind procurement exercise. A 5 MW/25 MWh BESS will be built in Wutzldorf in the Cham district.

With the signing of the service agreement, the tendering process is concluded and construction can begin. Between January and March, more than 100 bidders expressed interest in building the grid-servicing storage facility. The distribution system operator had previously coordinated the necessary formalities with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), including the maximum amount of service fee the storage operator could receive.

The service fee compensates for limited operation of the BESS. Maxsolar has guaranteed it will operate the BESS according to Bayernwerk’s specifications for the term of the contract. The grid requirements primarily include daily and seasonal specifications designed to avoid network congestion. For example, the BESS must be charged during times of high photovoltaic generation and, conversely, discharged into the Bayernwerk grid during times of high power consumption.

Maxsolar is in discussion with the municipality of Wutzldorf regarding construction of the BESS and continuing with building planning. “With the grid-friendly storage facility, we are providing an important impetus for the efficient use of renewable energies and for ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply in the long term,” said Christoph Strasser, managing director of Maxsolar.

Nick Seeger, managing director of Bayernwerk Netz, said: “With the newly developed logic of the grid-friendly storage facility, we are maximizing the economic benefits for our grid customers from both the electricity-market and the electricity-grid perspective. In this way, we are ushering in a new phase of the integration of large-scale batteries into the power system.”

With grid-friendly storage systems, Bayernwerk aims to reduce the need for grid expansion, especially where high grid loads occur during peak renewable generation times. By buffering feed-in peaks, additional generation facilities can be integrated into the grid without having to further strengthen or expand the grid, the company said. Storage systems also improve grid quality by reducing voltage fluctuations.

The high level of participation in Bayernwerk’s tender demonstrated the market can meet grid-friendly storage requirements. Bayernwerk intends to use that finding, along with the experience from the pilot project, to identify additional locations for development. Further tenders for grid-friendly storage in its network area are planned to follow.

From pv magazine Deutschland.